Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1350: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, allows a court to issue an extreme risk protection order upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that a person poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to the person or others if allowed to possess or purchase a firearm; authorizes a law enforcement officer or relative to file a petition for an extreme risk protection order; creates an offense to store or keep a firearm in any place unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, unloaded, and separate from ammunition except when the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user; prohibits a gun dealer from delivering a firearm to a purchaser until 15 business days after the completion of certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

SB 1350 proposes a new "extreme risk protection order" (ERPO) process in Tennessee, allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a significant danger to themselves or others. Law enforcement officers or close relatives can file petitions with clear evidence of risk, leading to a court hearing within 14 days and potential 12-month orders. The bill also requires firearms to be stored unloaded and locked away from ammunition (except during lawful use) and adds a 15-business-day waiting period for gun purchases after background checks. These changes would directly affect firearm owners facing ERPO petitions or subject to storage rules. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIntroduces ERPOs to prevent firearm access for high-risk individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1229: Forfeiture of Assets - As enacted, removes the requirement for a claimant to post a bond when filing a claim to seized property. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 33.

HB 1229 modifies Tennessee's asset forfeiture laws by removing the requirement for claimants to post a bond when filing claims for seized property. This change directly affects individuals or businesses seeking to recover property seized by law enforcement under forfeiture proceedings. The bill deletes language requiring a "cost bond or" in Tennessee Code Annotated §40-33-205(a) and removes subsection (b) from §40-33-206, streamlining the claim process. The law will take effect July 1, 2025, applying to all seizures occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves bond requirement for property claimants, reducing barriers to reclaim seized assets and protecting civil rights in forfeiture proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 473: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, requires a person arrested for a felony offense to have a biological specimen taken by the arresting authority for the purpose of DNA analysis to determine identification characteristics specific to the person. - Amends TCA Title 18; Title 38, Chapter 6; Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

HB 473 requires law enforcement in Tennessee to collect a mouth swab DNA sample from anyone arrested for a felony offense on or after July 1, 2025. The sample must be taken before the person is released from custody and sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for analysis. If charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted, the DNA sample and records must be destroyed, unless other felony charges are pending. This law directly affects all individuals arrested for felonies in Tennessee after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires DNA collection for identification with destruction clause if charges dismissed, protecting civil rights within criminal procedure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 985: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, removes the criminal offense of possession of a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted; removes the requirement that the department of safety suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for a violation of that offense by a handgun permit holder. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 985 modifies Tennessee's firearm laws by removing the criminal offense for possessing a weapon in a properly posted building or property, and eliminating automatic permit suspensions for this violation. It requires property owners who restrict firearms to post clear signage, install metal detectors at all public entrances, and have trained security officers inspect all visitors and bags. This primarily affects businesses, venues, and property managers seeking to prohibit firearms, while exempting libraries, law enforcement buildings, Head Start facilities, and certain licensed properties. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and shifts enforcement focus to physical security measures rather than criminal penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal offense for weapon possession in properly posted areas, reducing unnecessary criminalization in firearm laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 55: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates new misdemeanor offenses, including intentionally giving a false or fictitious name to a law enforcement officer who has lawfully detained or arrested such person. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40; Title 54 and Title 55.

HB 55 creates new misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee for deliberately refusing to provide one's name to law enforcement during a lawful detention or arrest, or for intentionally giving a false name. It also establishes misdemeanor penalties for approaching within 25 feet of an officer who has ordered you to stop, and for riding in the cargo area of a box truck (defined as enclosed vehicles without passenger seats). The law directly affects individuals interacting with police, drivers using specific vehicle configurations, and those placing signs on public infrastructure without permission. Key provisions include classifying these violations as misdemeanors (Class B or C) and clarifying that failing to show ID isn't a violation if verbal identification is attempted. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offenses for refusing to provide name to police and approaching officers, expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 521: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, creates a law enforcement investigatory privilege; prohibits a subpoena from being issued for a civil or criminal proceeding for information protected by the law enforcement privilege. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 1, Part 2 and Title 40, Chapter 17, Part 1.

SB 521 creates a new "law enforcement investigatory privilege" in Tennessee, protecting certain information gathered during active criminal investigations. It prohibits civil or criminal court subpoenas from demanding details covered by this privilege (such as evidence or witness statements) while an investigation is ongoing. The privilege applies until the case closes through dismissal, acquittal, or expiration of appeal deadlines. This directly affects law enforcement agencies (who gain protection for their investigative materials) and individuals or entities seeking such information through court subpoenas. The bill does not override constitutional rights or change standard subpoena procedures for law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates law enforcement privilege shielding investigatory details from subpoenas, reducing judicial oversight during active cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 1390: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, allows a court to issue an extreme risk protection order upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that a person poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to the person or others if allowed to possess or purchase a firearm; authorizes a law enforcement officer or relative to file a petition for an extreme risk protection order; creates an offense to store or keep a firearm in any place unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, unloaded, and separate from ammunition except when the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user; prohibits a gun dealer from delivering a firearm to a purchaser until 15 business days after the completion of certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 1390 would allow Tennessee courts to issue extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose a significant danger of causing personal injury to themselves or others. Petitions for ERPOs can be filed by law enforcement officers or close relatives, requiring clear and convincing evidence of danger before a court acts. The bill also mandates that firearms be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition (except when carried by the owner), and requires gun dealers to delay firearm deliveries for 15 business days to complete background checks. These provisions directly affect firearm owners, law enforcement, gun dealers, and individuals subject to ERPO petitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 1390 establishes ERPOs to prevent gun violence via court intervention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing harm through proactive safety measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 741: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras to adopt a written policy for the use of the cameras by its law enforcement officers; establishes certain requirements for the policies. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 1.

HB 741 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies that use body cameras to create written policies governing their use. The bill mandates that officers activate cameras during calls for service and encounters with the public (except during immediate threats), notify subjects they are being recorded, and keep cameras on until the encounter ends. Exceptions include turning cameras off when a private resident requests it, when interacting with domestic abuse or rape victims, or with anonymous crime tipsters. The policy must also prohibit using body cameras to record First Amendment activities unrelated to police responses. This directly affects all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and officers using body-worn cameras.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body camera policies requiring activation during encounters and notifications, enhancing police accountability and transparency per bill requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1400: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law concerning driving under the influence. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

SB 1400 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws by two key changes: it permits law enforcement officers to assist medical professionals in obtaining blood samples from drivers using reasonable force during DUI investigations, and it increases the minimum jail sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. These provisions directly affect drivers charged with DUI, law enforcement officers conducting blood tests, and medical personnel involved in the sampling process. The blood sample provision took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on May 5, 2025, while the sentence increase will apply starting January 1, 2026. The bill does not alter DUI testing standards or expand penalties beyond these specific changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases first-time DUI jail sentence from 1 to 1.5 years and permits force for blood samples, expanding criminalization and harshening penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 920: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that when the victim of a sexually oriented crime is a minor, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for the victim to receive a forensic medical examination. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38 and Title 39.

SB 920 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic medical exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, effective July 1, 2025. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA testing on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with written explanations for delays beyond that timeframe. The bill affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and the Bureau of Investigation by changing payment standards and establishing new timelines for evidence processing. Kits flagged for delay must be analyzed "within a reasonable time thereafter," and the bill clarifies that delays don't affect evidence admissibility. These changes apply to exams performed and kits received on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases compensation for forensic exams and mandates timely DNA testing on sexual assault evidence, improving victim support and evidence processing in criminal justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases compensation for healthcare providers performing forensic exams (from $1k to $2.5k), directly funding a healthcare service for sexual assault victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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